Chicago Columbus Day Parade 2026 Today (October 12): Chicago’s annual Columbus Day Parade is taking place on Monday, October 12, 2026, bringing Italian American heritage celebrations to downtown Chicago. The 74th annual event, organised by the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (JCCIA), is part of the city’s Italian American Heritage Month observances and features a parade through the Loop.
The parade is scheduled to begin at noon, with opening ceremonies at Dearborn Street and Wacker Drive. Participants will proceed south along Dearborn Street to Van Buren Street. Motorists, commuters and visitors heading downtown should plan for temporary road closures, traffic restrictions and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus reroutes around the parade route.
ABC7 Chicago, the event’s official broadcast partner, has announced live television coverage from noon to 2 p.m., with additional coverage available through its digital and streaming platforms. Here is everything to know about the Chicago Columbus Day Parade 2026, including the start time, route, grand marshals, road closures, public transportation and viewing options.
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Chicago Columbus Day Parade 2026: Date and Start Time
The 74th annual Chicago Columbus Day Parade is scheduled for Monday, October 12, 2026. The event is organised by the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, which established the parade in 1952.
According to the organisers, the day’s programme begins with a Mass at 9 a.m. at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii Parish, located at 1224 W. Lexington Street, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at Arrigo Park.
The parade’s opening ceremonies are scheduled for noon at the corner of Dearborn Street and Wacker Drive, after which the procession will move south along Dearborn Street.
Chicago Columbus Day Parade 2026 schedule
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Date: Monday, October 12, 2026
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Opening ceremonies: 12 p.m. Central Time
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Starting point: Dearborn Street and Wacker Drive
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Route: South along Dearborn Street to Van Buren Street
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Organiser: Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans
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Live coverage: ABC7 Chicago, noon to 2 p.m.
What Is the Route for the Chicago Columbus Day Parade?
The 2026 Chicago Columbus Day Parade route runs along Dearborn Street through downtown Chicago. The procession begins near Wacker Drive and continues south to Van Buren Street.
The route passes through the Loop, an area that attracts office workers, residents and visitors throughout the week. Temporary traffic restrictions are expected around Dearborn Street and adjoining intersections during staging, the parade and the dispersal of participants.
Visitors planning to watch the procession should identify an appropriate viewing location along the route and allow additional time to reach downtown. Access to some streets and intersections may be restricted as police and event personnel manage the parade.
For the latest route information, consult the official JCCIA Columbus Day Parade website.
Who Are the Grand Marshals of the 2026 Chicago Columbus Day Parade?
The parade organisers have announced three grand marshals for the 2026 event: actor and television personality Tony Danza, Foreigner’s original lead vocalist Lou Gramm, and actress Cristiana Dell’Anna, known for her role in the film Cabrini.
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